Simulated wounded-bird decoy apparatus

ABSTRACT

A decoy apparatus and animal attraction method including a head and body formed to resemble a bird, a rotatable motor-driven shaft protruding from at least one side of the body, a wing coupled to the shaft, and a power source such that activation of the power source causes the wing structure to rotate. The wing is coupled to the shaft at an angle relative to the main axis of rotation to best simulate a broken or injured wing during rotation. The method involves only one wing of the decoy rotating to approximate the motion of a bird that has an injured wing and cannot take off.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.11/050,485 filed Feb. 2, 2005 by Richard A. Fiore et al. for “SimulatedWounded-Bird Decoy Apparatus”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to devices and methods that simulatewounded prey as a means for attracting an animal and more particularlyto a decoy apparatus and method that simulates a wounded bird through amechanically driven, rotating wing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many decoys and animal attractants of various types exist that enable auser to attract an animal for viewing, study, or hunting. Among these,chemical attractants, devices that mimic bird or other animal calls, andphysical decoys are especially well known.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,431 by Price, Sr. et al. disclosesbird-like decoy devices that include wind-driven wings that arefashioned as propellers in order to be rotated by the wind. Moreover,U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,323 by McBride et al. discloses a decoy apparatuswith motor-driven “blade wing” assemblies attached to a fowl-like body.While both of these inventions are designed to provide the illusion of abird in flight, neither the paddle-like “blade wings” of McBride etal.'s invention nor Price, Sr. et al.'s “propeller-like wings” resultsin a realistic depiction of motion that mimics a wounded bird.

More elaborate decoys have been designed to mimic a bird with a woundedwing. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0107623and U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,132 by Brint disclose a bird apparatus suspendedfrom a pole, with the apparatus featuring wings that mechanically“flap.” The wings are foldable so that one or both will “vibrate” ratherthan “flap,” thereby providing an appearance of distress.

Due to the flapping motion of Brint's apparatus, the bird decoy must bemounted on a rod or hung in the air in order to achieve its intendedpurpose of flight simulation. Moreover, Brint teaches that using hisapparatus to mimic injury or panic is preferably accomplished bymounting the device on a spring or (for an attenuated effect) directlyon a rod, thereby allowing the decoy to move in circles.

While the devices above may be suitable for their particular purpose,they are also relatively complicated by requiring the use of a stand orhanging implement. Moreover, none of the aforementioned inventionsdescribes a decoy apparatus that simulates an injury or distress throughthe use of rotational wing movement.

Thus, there remains a need in the art for a decoy apparatus and animalattraction method that mimic the motion of an injured bird (rather thanof a bird flying), that are less complex then typical motorized decoys,and that are more adaptable to a variety of placement situations in thatthey do not require the use of a stand or suspension implement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to a decoy apparatus including a bodyand head member formed to resemble a bird, a rotatable motor-drivenshaft protruding from a side of the body and head member, a wingstructure coupled to the motor-driven shaft, and a source of power. Inone embodiment, the wing structure is coupled to the motor-driven shaftsuch that activation causes the entire wing structure, or a major partor majority of the wing structure, i.e., more than 50% of the wingstructure, to rotate at an angle greater than zero and less than ninetydegrees relative to the main axis of rotation of said motor-drivenshaft, thereby producing motion that simulates an injured wing. Oneembodiment of the invention features a universal joint that couples thewing structure to the rotating shaft, thereby producing rotation at anangle to the main axis of rotation and a “flopping motion” thatsimulates wing injury graphically well.

In another embodiment, the invention further includes a clamp on thebody and head portion for attaching the decoy apparatus to an object,such as a tree branch. Preferably, the clamp is disposed on the bottomof the decoy such that the apparatus is kept in a substantially uprightposition when attached to something. However, the decoy of the inventioncan also be placed on the ground on its side to great effect insimulating an injured bird.

In still another embodiment, the power source is a battery compartmentthat is covered by a removable strap, thereby allowing for easy accessin order to activate or stop wing rotation. The strap may be removableat one (i.e., hinged) or at both ends. Preferably, a material such as ahook-and-loop fastener is used to attach the strap to the body and headmember.

Yet another embodiment of the invention includes a non-rectangular wingstructure to approximate the look and motion of a broken or partiallymissing wing. Preferably, the non-rectangular wing structure includes atriangular flap.

In yet still another embodiment of the invention, a decoy apparatusincluding a body and head member formed to resemble a bird, amotor-driven shaft protruding from the side of the decoy, a first wingstructure coupled to the motor-driven shaft, and a second, non-rotatingwing structure coupled to the body and head portion and substantiallyopposite in location to that of the first wing structure, is provided.

According to a method of the invention, a decoy apparatus having a bodyand head member formed to resemble a bird, a motor-driven shaft coupledto a wing structure, and a power source is positioned in a particularlocation and activated so that a single wing rotates, thereby mimickinga wounded bird in distress or that cannot take off.

Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clearfrom its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, tothe accomplishment of the objectives described above, this inventionincludes the features hereinafter fully described in the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed outin the claims. However, such description discloses only some of thevarious ways in which the invention may be practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a first embodiment of the invention inelevational side view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate wing configurations of theprior art in front elevational view.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the invention inelevational front view and depicts in phantom line an example ofwing-structure motion.

FIG. 4 depicts a third embodiment of the invention in cross-sectionalview, with the two halves of the embodiment arranged as mirror images ofeach other.

FIG. 5 depicts a fourth embodiment of the invention in perspective view.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 3 in useaccording to a method of the invention.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the inventionfeaturing a universal joint.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the inventionthat features a universal joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention generally relates to a decoy apparatus that simulates aninjured bird through the rotation of a motor-driven shaft coupled with awing member. More specifically, the invention relates to a body and headmember that contains a rotatable motor-driven shaft protruding from aside, a wing structure coupled to the motor-driven shaft, and a powersource. Preferably, the wing structure is coupled to the motor-drivenshaft such that the entire wing structure, or a major part or majorityof the wing structure, i.e., more than 50% of the wing structure,rotates at an angle greater than zero and less than ninety degreesrelative to the main axis of rotation.

Turning to the figures, wherein like numeric references indicate likecomponents, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention.Decoy apparatus 2 includes a body and head member 4 fashioned toresemble a bird. Preferably, the body and head member 4 is integrallyformed from a light weight material, such as high-density polyester foamor injection molded plastic. Protruding from a side 6 of body and headmember 4 is the rotatable shaft 8 of motor 10, which is energized by apower source (not shown in this view). Coupled to shaft 8 is a wingmember 12, which rotates as urged by shaft 8 and indicated by arrows Z.

It has been observed that rectangular or propeller shape wings appear to“flap” when rotated, thereby simulating a flight or take-off motion.Accordingly, wing member 12 preferably is non-rectangular due to theobservation by the inventors that rotation of non-rectangular shapesprovides a motion that appears to look more like a folded or injuredwing and less like a bird in flight, thereby enhancing the animalattraction aspects of the invention (particularly for predators, such asfoxes, bobcats, coyotes, and the like).

As seen in subsequent front-view figures and described in more detailbelow, the rotatable motor-driven shaft 8 protruding from the side 6 ofbody and head member 4 defines a main axis of rotation (as observed froma perspective other than a side view, e.g., a front or back view), suchthat a wing structure can be coupled to the shaft in a manner whichpermits the entire wing structure, or the major part or majority of thewing structure, i.e., more than 50% of the wing structure, to rotate atan angle relative to that main axis of rotation.

With these definitions in mind, FIGS. 2A and 2B show two angles ofrotation found in the prior art. Decoy body 16 has a rotatable shaft 18that is coupled to a wing structure 20 (FIG. 2A) or 22 (FIG. 2B). Wingstructure 20 is disposed upon shaft 18 at an angle 24 of ninety degreesrelative to the main axis of rotation R of shaft 18. On the other hand,wing structure 22 is co-linear with shaft 18 by being disposed uponshaft 18 at an angle 26 of one hundred and eighty degrees relative toaxis of rotation R.

Turning to FIG. 3, a decoy 30 of the invention is illustrated thatincludes a first wing structure 31 coupled to a rotatable shaft 32 viaweld 33 and a second, non-rotating wing structure 35. First wingstructure 31 and second wing structure 35 are disposed on substantiallyopposite sides of body 37 to simulate actual wings. Shaft 32 has a mainaxis of rotation A that is co-linear therewith as shown. Because atleast the major part or majority of first wing member 31, i.e., morethan 50% of first wing member 31, is disposed at an angle 38 greaterthan zero and less than ninety degrees relative to the main axis ofrotation A, the rotation of first wing member 31 appears to indicate afolded, clipped, or otherwise irregular or injured wing that draws theattention of other animals. The angle 38 is preferably in the range of 5to 85 degrees. Decoy 30 further includes a clamp 40 located on thebottom of body 37. The clamp 40 allows the placement of decoy 30 in anupright position on a tree branch, in a nest, and in a variety of otherlocations.

As seen in mirror cross-sections 42 and 44 of FIG. 4, the inventionpreferably provides rotation to a wing structure through a battery 46,terminals 48 and 50, terminal wires 52 and 54 connecting the terminals48 and 50 with poles 56 and 58 on electric motor 60, and a rotatableshaft 62 that is rotated by motor 60. Section 44 further contains spacesor hollow sections 64 and 66 for receiving bill 68 and fastener 70 ofclamp 72, respectively. Conversely, section 42 contains spaces or hollowsections 74 and 76, which are adapted to receive battery 46, wires 52and 54, and motor 60.

FIG. 5 illustrates in perspective view another embodiment of theinvention that features a triangular flap 80 coupled with rotatableshaft 82. Shown in phantom line are motor 84, wires 86 and 88, andbattery compartment 90, which are housed inside the body 91. The powersource, which is a battery 92 in this case, is covered by a removableflap 94. Clamp 96 is disposed substantially at the bottom of body 91 tosupport the decoy upright at a desired location.

Turning to FIG. 6, the decoy apparatus 30 of FIG. 3 is shown attached toa tree branch 98. According to the method of the invention, one wing isset in rotational motion 99 to simulate a bird that is in distress orthat has an injured wing.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, a universal joint 100 is used in anotherembodiment of the invention to provide an extra “flopping” motion(arrows F) at an angle relative to the main axis of rotation K.Universal joint 100 is a flexible coupling used to join rotating shafts102 to wing members 104 and 106, either directly or through an extender108. While other types of universal joints may be used with theinvention, a typical universal joint will feature ends that formU-shaped yokes that dovetail into each other and pivot flexibly about apivot point. This construction allows side-to-side and up-and-downmovement, while still transmitting rotary motion.

In view of the disclosure above, it is readily seen that the inventionis especially useful for attracting animals by simulating a bird indistress.

Various changes in the details and components that have been describedmay be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scopeof the invention herein described in the specification and defined inthe appended claims. Therefore, while the present invention has beenshown and described herein in what is believed to be the most practicaland preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be madetherefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limitedto the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope ofthe claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent processes andproducts.

1. A decoy apparatus, comprising: a body and head member formed toresemble a bird; a rotatable motor-driven shaft protruding from a sideof said body and head member, said motor-driven shaft defining a mainaxis of rotation extending transversely of said body and head member; awing structure coupled to said motor-driven shaft, said wing structurehaving a major part; and a power source coupled to said motor-drivenshaft; wherein said main axis of rotation extends at an angle greaterthan zero and less than ninety degrees relative to said major part ofsaid wing structure.
 2. The decoy apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidbody and head member includes a clamp for attaching the decoy apparatusto an object.
 3. The decoy apparatus of claim 2, wherein said clamp isdisposed upon said body and head member such that the decoy apparatus iskept substantially upright when said clamp is attached to the object. 4.The decoy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power source comprises abattery compartment covered by a removable strap.
 5. The decoy apparatusof claim 1, wherein said wing structure is non-rectangular.
 6. The decoyapparatus of claim 1, wherein said wing structure comprises a triangularflap.
 7. The decoy apparatus of claim 1, wherein said angle is between 5and 85 degrees.
 8. The decoy apparatus of claim 1, wherein a universaljoint is disposed between the motor-driven shaft and the wing structure.9. A decoy apparatus, comprising: a body and head member formed toresemble a bird; a rotatable motor-driven shaft protruding from a sideof said body and head member; a first wing structure coupled to saidmotor-driven shaft; a second wing structure coupled to said body andhead member substantially opposite said first wing structure, saidsecond wing structure being attached to said body and head member in apredetermined position and being substantially immovable out of saidpredetermined position; and a power source coupled with said motordriven shaft.
 10. The decoy apparatus of claim 9, wherein said body andhead member includes a clamp for attaching the decoy apparatus to anobject.
 11. The decoy apparatus of claim 10, wherein said clamp isdisposed upon said body and head member such that the decoy apparatus iskept substantially upright when said clamp is attached to the object.12. The decoy apparatus of claim 9, wherein said power source comprisesa battery compartment covered by a removable strap.
 13. The decoyapparatus of claim 9, wherein said first wing structure isnon-rectangular.
 14. The decoy apparatus of claim 9, wherein said firstwing structure comprises a triangular flap.
 15. The decoy apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein said first wing structure has a major part and saidmotor-driven shaft defines a main axis of rotation extendingtransversely of said body and head member at an angle greater than zeroand less than ninety degrees relative to said major part of said firstwing structure.
 16. The decoy apparatus of claim 15, wherein said angleis between 5 and 85 degrees.
 17. The decoy apparatus of claim 9, whereina universal joint is disposed between the motor-driven shaft and thefirst wing structure.
 18. A method for attracting animals, comprisingthe steps of: (a) positioning a decoy which includes a body and headmember formed to resemble a bird, a first wing structure to one side ofsaid body and head member, and a second wing structure to an oppositeside of said body and head member; and (b) rotating one of said wingstructures on a main axis of rotation extending transversely of saidbody and head member while maintaining the other of said wing structuressubstantially stationary thereby mimicking a wounded bird and attractingan animal.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said one wing structurehas a major part and said main axis of rotation extends at an anglegreater than zero and less than ninety degrees relative to said majorpart of said one wing structure.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinsaid angle is between 5 and 85 degrees.
 21. The method of claim 18,wherein said one wing structure is non-rectangular.
 22. The method ofclaim 18, wherein said one wing structure comprises a triangular flap.23. The method of claim 18, wherein said one wing structure is rotatedby a driven shaft and a universal joint is disposed between said drivenshaft and said one wing structure.